Some of the new regulations that go into effect included a weight limit of 55 pounds and a new time restriction, as flights are only allowed to take place during the day.

Drones must now also stay within the pilot’s visual line of sight at all times. The rules are more aimed at those who use them for commercial businesses as opposed to those using them for recreation.

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Federal aviation officials estimate there will be 600,000 commercial drone aircraft operating in the U.S. within the year as the result of the new safety rules.

Michael Huerta, head of the Federal Aviation Administration, said at a news conference that the rules governing the operation of small commercial drones are designed to protect safety without stifling innovation.

Commercial operators initially complained that the new rules would be too rigid. The agency responded by creating a system to grant exemptions to the rules for companies that show they can operate safely.

Huerta said the FAA had already granted 76 exemptions, most of them to companies that want to fly drones at night.